Kniphofia plant named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Kniphofia  named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ that is characterized by upright habit, green grass-like foliage, and flowers that are peach in bud and which open to pale-cream blushed with peach. In combination these traits set ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Kniphofia  known to the inventor.

Genus: Kniphofia.

Species: ×uvaria.

Denomination: ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new variety of torch lily grown as anornamental for use in the landscape. The new invention from the familyLiliaceae is known botanically as Kniphofia×uvaria, and will be referredto hereinafter as ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’.

‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ was discovered by the inventor in May 2001 as anaturally occurring single plant mutation from Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’(unpatented) which is the sport parent of ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’. The inventordiscovered ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ amongst a commercial crop of ‘Little Maid’ atthe inventor's nursery in Auckland, New Zealand. Selection was based onthe criterion of unique flower color.

‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ exhibits upright habit, grass-like green foliage withbronze tips, and striking flowers that are peach-color in bud, openingto pale cream blushed with peach. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ grows to 60 cm. inheight and 40 cm in width after one year, and 60 cm width after twoyears. The mature dimensions of ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ are 60 cm in height and60 cm in width.

Cultural needs include well-draining loam soil, full sun, and moderatewater. Disease and pest susceptibilities are similar to other Kniphofia.Plant is hardy to USDA Zone 6, and performs best with moderate organiccontent in soil.

‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ is unique and distinguishable from any other Kniphofiaknown to the inventor. The closest comparison plant is the parentvariety Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ is distinguishable fromthe comparison plant by flower color. The flowers of ‘Little Maid’ arelemon colored while in bud, and open to pale yellow, whereas the flowersof ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ are peach colored when in bud, opening to pale-creamblushed with peach.

The first asexual reproduction of ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ was accomplished bythe inventor in Auckland, New Zealand, in 2002, using the method ofdivision. Later asexual propagation was conducted using both the methodof division and of tissue culture. Under careful observation ‘PEACHYCHEEKS’ has been determined fixed, stable and to reproduce true to typein subsequent generations of asexual propagation by both means.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Kniphofia cultivar named‘PEACHY CHEEKS’. These traits in combination distinguish ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’from all other existing varieties of Kniphofia known to the inventor.‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ has not been tested under all possible conditions.Phenotypic differences may be observed with variations in environmental,climatic, and cultural conditions without however any variance ingenotype.

-   -   1. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ exhibits upright habit.    -   2. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ exhibits green grass-like foliage with bronze        tips.    -   3. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ exhibits flowers that are peach in bud        opening to pale-cream blushed with peach.    -   4. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ is 0.6 m. in height and 0.6 m. in width at        maturity.    -   5. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ blooms in summer.    -   6. ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ is hardy to USDA Zone 6.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Kniphofia cultivar named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ showing color as true as isreasonably possible to obtain in color reproductions of this type. Colorin the drawings may differ from color values cited in the detailedbotanical description, which accurately describe the actual color of thenew variety named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’.

FIG. 1 depicts the plant from a side perspective.

FIG. 2 depicts a close-up view of the inflorescence.

Drawings were made using conventional techniques and although flower andfoliage color may appear different from actual color due to lightreflectance, they are as accurate as possible by conventionalphotography.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Kniphofiacultivar named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons were collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif., from 9-month-oldplants grown out-of-doors in 1-litre containers. Color determinationsare made in accordance with The 2001 Royal Horticultural Society ColourChart from London, England, except where general color terms of ordinarydictionary significance are used. The growing requirements of the newvariety ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ are similar to the species.

-   Botanical classification: Kniphofia×uvaria ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’.-   Family: Liliaceae.-   Genus: Kniphofia.-   Species: ×uvaria.-   Denomination: ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’.-   Common name: Torch lily.-   Habit: Upright habit.-   Commercial category: Ornamental.-   Use: Landscape.    -   -   Suggested commercial container size.—1-litre container.-   Parentage: ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’ was discovered as a naturally occurring    sport of Kniphofia ‘Little Maid’.-   Propagation method: Methods of division, and tissue culture.-   Rooting system: Fine and fibrous.-   Vigor: Moderate.-   Crop time (range): 6–9 months to produce a finished 1-litre    container plant from division and 9–12 months from tissue culture.-   Temperature (range): The recommended air temperature is 20–21°    Centigrade.-   Plant dimensions (first year): 60 cm. in height and 40 cm. in width.-   Plant dimensions (at maturity): 60 cm. in height and 60 cm. in    width.-   Cultural requirements: Grow in well-draining loam soil and full sun,    with moderate water.-   Pest and disease resistance: None known to the inventor.-   Pest and disease susceptibility: Occasionally mildly susceptible    thrips.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 6.-   Special considerations: Benefits from the incorporation of organic    matter in planting soil.-   Foliage:    -   -   Type.—Evergreen.        -   Branching habit.—Basal.        -   Leaf attachment.—Sheathing.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf margin.—Entire.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial and adaxial).—Glabrous.        -   Leaf shape.—Linear and keeled.        -   Leaf length (average).—35 cm.        -   Leaf width (average).—0.40 cm.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—137B, N172A.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—137B, N172A.        -   Leaf apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf base.—Truncate.        -   Venation.—Parallel.        -   Vein color (abaxial and adaxial surfaces).—137C.        -   Leaf fragrance.—None observed.-   Inflorescence:    -   -   Inflorescence.—Spike-like raceme.        -   Blooming season.—Summer.        -   Inflorescence quantity (average).—7 per 1-litre container            plant.        -   Inflorescence dimensions.—22 cm. in length and 4 cm. in            width.        -   Flower quantity (range).—50–100 per inflorescence.        -   Flower aspect.—Pendulous.        -   Flower shape.—Tubular-cylindrical.        -   Flower dimensions (average).—2.75 cm. in length and 0.60 cm.            in width.        -   Flower color.—158A, 31C.        -   Flowers self-cleaning or persistent.—Self-cleaning.        -   Petal.—6 in number.        -   Fused or unfused.—Petals fused.        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal surface.—Glabrous.        -   Petal color.—158A, 31C.        -   Petal margin.—Entire.        -   Bud shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Bud surface.—Glabrous.        -   Bud apex.—Rounded.        -   Bud base.—Rounded.        -   Bud color.—31A, 31B.        -   Bud dimensions.—1.50 cm. in length and 0.30 cm. in width.        -   Pedicel shape.—Subcylindrical.        -   Pedicel color.—199A.        -   Pedicel surface.—Glabrous.        -   Pedicel dimensions.—3 mm. in length and 2 mm. in width.        -   Bracts (number).—50–100 per scape.        -   Bract attachment.—Sessile.        -   Bract color.—156A.        -   Bract shape.—Oblong.        -   Bract dimensions (average).—1.50 cm. in length and 0.40 cm.            in width.        -   Bract apex (range).—Rounded to acute.        -   Bract base.—Truncate.        -   Bract margin.—Entire.        -   Bract surface.—Glabrous.        -   Bract texture.—Papyraceous.        -   Bract self-cleaning or persistent.—Persistent.        -   Scape (average).—7 in number per 1-litre container plant.        -   Scape color.—152A.        -   Scape dimensions.—60 cm. in length and 0.75 cm. in diameter.        -   Scape shape.—Cylindrical.        -   Scape surface.—Glabrous.        -   Flower fragrance.—None observed.        -   Lastingness of flower (range).—5–7 days.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamen quantity.—5 in number.        -   Stamen shape.—Contorted.        -   Stamen length (average).—1.50 cm.        -   Stamen color.—159A.        -   Pollen amount.—Low.        -   Pistil quantity.—1 in number.        -   Pistil dimensions.—2.75 cm. and <1 mm. in width.        -   Pistil color.—155A.        -   Stigma color.—31C.        -   Stigma length.—2 mm.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary shape.—Ovoid.        -   Ovary dimensions.—0.50 cm. in height and 0.25 cm. in            diameter.        -   Ovary color.—144D.

1. A new and distinct cultivar of Kniphofia plant named ‘PEACHY CHEEKS’as described and illustrated herein.